The C.L. Brown Show Courier Journal / USA TODAY Network

This week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show features an interview with new Kentucky men's basketball coach Mark Pope, who was the captain on the Wildcats' 1996 national championship team. Pope was the surprise replacement for John Calipari who left UK after 15 seasons to become the head coach at Arkansas.

Pope explains why he plans on delegating more to his assistant coaches than he has in the past. He also speaks on the challenges and advantages of building a roster from scratch, and why he's so intrigued by the potential of San Diego State transfer Lamont Butler in his system. (This discussion took place before Jaxson Robinson became the newest Wildcat after withdrawing his name from the NBA draft and following his former BYU coach to Lexington.)

This week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show features Marc J. Spears, the NBA senior writer for ESPN's Andscapeand former Courier Journal reporter.

Spears attended the NBA draft combine last week in Chicago and tells why he believes there's more value in this draft class than it's getting credit for having. He also discusses covering Bronny James and why Kentucky's Reed Sheppard conjured up Rex Chapman comparisons.

This week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show features ESPN SportsCenter anchor Michael Eaves, who is leading the network's coverage of the 2024 PGA Championship at Valhalla Golf Club.

Eaves, who is a University of Kentucky graduate, shares his thoughts on seeing UK recreate the 1996 national championship celebration — an event he covered as a young journalist — at the introductory news conference for head men's basketball coach Mark Pope. Eaves also discusses how much he thinks Tiger Woods has left and the golfers to beat this week at Valhalla.

This week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show features Brian Hernandez Jr., who became the first jockey since Calvin Borel in 2009 to ride both the Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby winning horses.

Hernandez discusses his thrilling photo-finish win in the 150th Run for the Roses, what it'd be like to pursue the Triple Crown on Mystik Dan and how he thinks the industry can capitalize on the record ratings for Derby 150.

This week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show features the "People's Champ" of the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby, trainer Larry Demeritte. A native of the Bahamas, Demeritte began training horses in 1981 but it's taken until now, with West Saratoga, for him to earn a Derby entrant. 

Demeritte discusses how he beats the odds by not focusing on them. He is the first Black trainer to field a horse in the Derby since Hank Allen saddled Northern Wolf in 1989. Demeritte is also battling cancer for a third time since 1996. He explains how focusing on West Saratoga powers him through the days when his chemotherapy treatments have him feeling fatigued. And he shares what it would mean to be victorious in the 150th Run for the Roses. 

(If you haven't read Jason Frakes' profile on Demeritte, check it out here.) 

This week's episode of The C.L. Brown Show features ESPN college basketball analyst Fran Fraschilla, who had coaching stops at Manhattan, St. John's and New Mexico.

Fraschilla had a front row seat watching Kentucky's new coach Mark Pope at BYU as the primary analyst on Big 12games. He explains why UK and John Calipari probably needed to part ways and how Pope will forge his own path in Lexington.

Fraschilla also discusses Louisville's hire of Pat Kelsey and why he believes athletics director Josh Heird got a great fit. Hear why Fraschilla says Kelsey could have U of L in the top five of the ACC standings in Year 1.